Cologne New Year attacks: First arrest after 766 complaints

A 26-year-old Algerian man was arrested on Monday in Kerpen, Germany, in connection with the mass sexual assault that took place in Cologne on New Year's Eve, according to reports. The man, who has also been charged with theft, is believed to be the first arrest for the sexual assault.

The total number of complaints related with the New Year's Eve attacks stood at 766 on Monday.

Another Algerian man was arrested for cell-phone theft from a refugee camp from the town of Kerpen, near Cologne. While two other refugees were arrested during the weekend from Kerpen and Aachen, respectively, for robbery, Associated Press reported.

At least 21 people have been charged with committing non-sexual offences against women in Cologne on the eve of 2016.

The wave of sexual assault incidents that occurred across cities, of which Cologne reported the highest on the eve of 2016, was followed by massive protests from conservative, anti-refugee and women's groups.

Currently, 838 people have filed criminal complaints, which includes 497 women who have alleged sexual assault. The total number of alleged crimes has been pegged at 766, as some women filed sexual assault charges together. Out of 766, 381 are sexual offences, including three rape charges, according to the AP report.

The numbers of complaints have increased exponentially over the last 19 days, along with criticism of Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door policy for refugees, as the complaints have mainly accused men of North African and Arabic descent.

Angela Merkel, who till now was welcoming refugees, also took a strong stand against those who flout Germany's laws. She voiced her support for stricter laws against migrant law breakers, saying that it would result in deportation.

Germany is also beginning to stop the flow of migrants into the country.